Signs of good and evil. Superstitions History of superstitious customs

Why does a witch fly on a broom and the devil has horns? Why does a hare's foot bring good luck, and seven is considered a lucky number? How can a name affect a person's destiny and what was the sign of Cain?

Ari Turunen offers the reader a journey into the fascinating world of superstitions — customs that often go unnoticed in everyday life. We knock on a tree or spit over our shoulder when a black cat crosses the road, without thinking about the reasons for such actions. Superstitious customs not only helped to fight fears, but also became a way to influence one's own destiny, because man is the only creature who consciously seeks to change his life.

In seven "happy" chapters of the book, the author explores the history and culture of superstition, revealing surprising and unexpected aspects. For example, earrings were originally used to protect against evil forces, the word "panic" comes from the name of the god Pan, who caused uncontrollable fear, and the crossing of the middle and index fingers to avoid bad luck once symbolized parrying.